Engineers can now directly control a PXI/CompactPCI system from a laptop computer using National Instruments' (NI) ExpressCard MXI and PCMCIA Cardbus interfaces.
Engineers can now directly control a PXI/CompactPCI system from a laptop computer using National Instruments' (NI) ExpressCard MXI and PCMCIA Cardbus interfaces.
This new capability is ideal for portable and mobile applications, such as data logging, machine condition monitoring and field tests including RF spectral monitoring, in a variety of industries.
NI ExpressCard MXI (NI PXI-Expresscard8360) offers direct control of PXI/CompactPCI systems from laptop computers with an ExpressCard slot.
ExpressCard is the next-generation laptop interface that comes standard on many new laptop computers.
It works with both USB 2.0 and PCI Express, and host slots accept modules that use either interface.
Expresscard MXI uses the PCI Express interface for maximum bandwidth performance.
ExpressCard MXI delivers up to 110Mb/s of sustained throughput between PXI/CompactPCI systems and laptop computers.
With the NI PXI-Cardbus8310 interface, engineers can directly control PXI/CompactPCI systems from a PCMCIA Cardbus slot, available on most existing laptop computers.
The new interface gives engineers the option of using the laptop computers they currently own to control PXI/CompactPCI systems.
Both interfaces are transparent to software applications and drivers.
Using embedded controllers or desktop computers with remote controllers, engineers can implement the laptop control systems without changing existing software written for use with PXI/CompactPCI systems.
The ExpressCard MXI and PCMCIA Cardbus interfaces provide a software-transparent link to the PXI/CompactPCI system, delivering software compatibility with all drivers and application development environments.
For example, engineers can use them with the NI's LabVIEW graphical development environment and the company's modular instruments to develop portable, high-performance field test systems.
Engineers also can use the interfaces with DC-powered chassis, data acquisition modules and the NI's SignalExpress interactive measurement environment to create mobile data loggers.
The ExpressCard MXI and PCMCIA CardBus interfaces work with modular instruments, data acquisition modules and bus interfaces from National Instruments, as well as modules from the more than 65 members of the PXI Systems Alliance and additional CompactPCI module vendors.
PCI Extensions for Instrumentation (PXI) is an open specification governed by the PXI Systems Alliance that defines a rugged, CompactPCI-based platform optimised for test, measurement and control.
It is supported by more than 65 member companies and more than 1150 products are available.
PXI products are compatible with the CompactPCI industrial computer standard and offer additional features such as environmental specifications, standardised software and built-in timing and synchronisation.
